Disclaimer: Future For Football is an initiative of the National Football Foundation, created to highlight the lessons and values that football imparts. Get involved and sign up to play today by visiting Future for Football for resources, a League Locator tool, and much more.
The last of the sun slips away and those nostalgic Friday night lights buzz overhead. We’re bringing blankets to the football field now and buying popcorn from the counter. Hoodies and warm mugs of tea. Toddlers plopped in the grass at the foot of the bleachers. Teenagers putting their phones away. Parents chatting about the start of the season, the kids they’ve signed up this year, the relief of Autumn settling in.
Football season comes sweeping in with an All American charm that transcends the game itself. It’s a time when my family gathers around the TV, dons our favorite team’s colors, makes a 7 layer dip, cheers and hollers from the couch or the bleachers. The roar of the crowd, the thrill of a last-minute touchdown, the camaraderie of watching with people we love – football has a special way of bringing people together and it is one of our family’s favorite way to connect.
I’m a single mom and this time of year is more than just a series of games. It’s an opportunity to eat together, to cheer together, to laugh together, to create lasting memories with my kids and sometimes even with their dad.
Football season is one of the few remaining traditions we know will live on.
Sunday afternoons are spent around the table, sharing a fun meal before the game starts. Tailgates become a vibrant blend of food, laughter, and friendly banter, where everyone—from my toddler nephew to the grandparents—find their place in the celebration. Game day rituals, like wearing matching jerseys or making a particular snack, have become part of our family’s shared and enduring story.
At its core, football season has always been about togetherness. It’s been about finding joy in the simple act of being present with one another even post divorce, whether we’re shouting at the TV, sharing snacks, or just enjoying each other’s company. It’s a time for us to set aside everyday stresses and focus on the shared joy of the game, creating a space where everyone in our newly-shaped family can feel connected and valued.
Future For Football has preserved this important family tradition with over 2 million youth players, 1.18+ million high school players, 80 college and university programs added since 2010, 93,770+ university players, and so much more. If you’re looking for a way to bring your family together this fall, we hope you’ll connect with Future For Football and their many many listed leagues.
